VOA慢速英语2021 朝鲜宣布退出东京奥运会（在线收听）

The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics recently said fans from outside of Japan will not be able to attend the Games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

东京奥运会的组织方表示，由于新冠肺炎大流行，日本境外观众将无法出席本届奥运会。

Now, North Korea, a country that was expected to send athletes to the Olympics, announced it will not take part in the Games.

现在，朝鲜这个被期望派遣运动员参与的国家宣布不会参加本届奥运会。

North Korea said its National Olympic Committee had a meeting in late March and decided not to attend in order to keep its athletes from getting sick.

朝鲜称该国奥委会于3月下旬开会决定不参加本届奥运会以防止运动员感染疾病。

However, a number of international policy experts think the decision is a way to keep the country closed. North Korea said it has controlled the spread of COVID-19 by closing its borders, banning foreign visitors and sending diplomats home. But those who follow North Korea think that may not be true. The country already has a weak medical system because of international economic restrictions that have limited spending on infrastructure.

然而许多国际政策专家认为该决定是为了保持该国的封闭。朝鲜称该国通过关闭边境、禁止外国游客和把外交官送回国来控制新冠肺炎的扩散。但是密切关注朝鲜的人士认为那可能并非事实。由于国际经济制裁限制了基础设施投入，该国的医疗体系薄弱。

Experts say the closed border is making life in North Korea more difficult than necessary for the average person.

专家表示，关闭国门使得朝鲜普通人的生活更加困难。

Jean H. Lee directs the North Korean program for The Wilson Center, an international policy research center in Washington, D.C.

Jean H. Lee执掌威尔逊中心的朝鲜项目，这是华盛顿特区的一家国际政策研究中心。

In a tweet, she asked if any other country has announced it would not attend the Olympics. She called the move "a political decision...as much as it is a public health concern."

她在推特上问是否有其它国家宣布不会参加奥运会。她称此举是一项政治决定，也是一种公共卫生担忧。

A spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry said there is still time for North Korea to reconsider its decision.

韩国外交部发言人表示，朝鲜还有时间重新考虑其决定。

Many people thought the 2018 winter Olympics in South Korea was a chance to renew diplomacy with North Korea. The closed-off nation sent 22 athletes, government officials, performers and a 230-member cheering group. Athletes from both North and South Korea marched under a flag with a blue map that symbolized a united Korean land.

许多人认为，2018年韩国冬奥会是恢复与朝鲜外交的一个机会。这个封闭国家派出了22名运动员、政府官员、表演者以及一个由230人组成的啦啦队。来自朝鲜和韩国的运动员在一面象征朝鲜半岛统一的蓝色旗帜下入场。

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also attended the Games.

朝鲜领导人金正恩的妹妹也出席了冬奥会。

Experts say North Korea's presence at the 2018 Games helped start discussions between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim. The talks, however, have not restarted for more than one year.

专家表示，朝鲜出席2018年冬奥会帮助开启了前川普总统和金正恩之间的会谈。然而这些谈判已经停滞了一年多时间。

In addition, North Korea recently fired test missiles for the first time in one year.

此外朝鲜最近发射了试验导弹，这是一年来的首次。

The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics were delayed because of the coronavirus health crisis. The Games are scheduled to open on July 23.

由于新冠病毒健康危机，2020年东京奥运会被推迟。本届奥运会定于7月23日开幕。